"A truly great business story - someone who started as a butcher at 16, has reinvented the business he is in and become a millionaire," commented one panel member of Simon Howie.

The development of a strong brand and highly successful relationships with the supermarkets were seen as testimony to the business's strength and vision.

"You just don't get in with the big multiples unless you have something to offer which sets you apart,"said another judge.

The panel was highly impressed with the man behind the business who has enjoyed considerable success with other ventures - including a laminates business he launched after difficulties sourcing materials for refurbishment of his own shops.

"A born entrepreneur who gets involved in every aspect of his businesses," said one judge.

E250 Business leadership Award

Winner: Simon Howie Butchers Ltd Runner-up: AVC Media Enterprises "Howie has taken a business in a marketwhich has been dying for years and turned it into an outstandingsuccess," commented one judge of the achievements of the retailbutchery business Howie runs.

Another panel member said he had been sosuccessful in building and motivating a team that he had"almost madehimself redundant! This is someone who both knows the detail but cansee the bigger picture."

The fact that Howie has achieved success inmultiple businesses in very different markets was seen by the panel asevidence of his real leadership qualities.

Keith Main of AVC Media Enterprises had created a company which the panel said "has a great feel about it".

They also praised an innovative approach tostaff communication at the Aberdeen business including a Facebook-styleintranet site.

A BUSINESS strategy which saw WallaceMcDowall turn away work to focus on areas which it felt offered betterlong term opportunities has paid off for the precision metalengineering firm.

"They have set out very clear objectives forthe company, stuck to them and are now reaping the rewards," commentedone panel member of the Ayrshire business whose products includemetalwork for football goals.

Since concentrating on the more specialisedpart of its business the company has established an enviable positionin the market and rarely has to actively seek new business.

Simon Howie Butchers has invested heavily todevelop both the business and the brand and has successfully developeda niche market for its high quality products.

TotalPDA also impressed the judges with itssuccess in implementing a change of direction and an innovativeapproach to the marketplace which has been rewarded with significantyear-on-year growth for the past three years.

Fastest Growing E250 Company

Winner: IndigoVision Group plc

"This is a company which has come through the valley of death" commented one judge of the dotcom survivor.

The Edinburgh-based digital surveillancefirm's refocusing of its business model is now reaping dividends withsales almost doubling and operating profits tripling last year on theback of worldwide expansion.

"A great role model for other Scottishtechnology companies," said another panel member. Shares in the companyhave increased by more than ten-fold over the last five years.

E250 Innovation Award

Winner: Bruichladdich Distillery Runner-up: Harper Macleod LLP

Mark Reynier had shown both courage andinnovation in building a new whisky business in a highly competitivemarket. "This business is a real passion for the man and he wantseverything done within it to be the best," commented one panel member.

The distillery has introduced a number ofinnovations in the way the product is presented to the marketplace anddespite a very small advertising spend has seen sales growdramatically.

A number of the industry's larger players have since adopted some of its sales and marketing methods.

The panel was also highly impressed with Harper Macleod's innovative business model which was delivering outstanding results.

"A GREAT place to work whether you are a lawyer or not, "was how one judge summed up Harper Macleod.

The panel were highly impressed by the "verydifferent model"at the lawfirm and felt the very low staff turnoverrate was testimony to its success in career-building. "They get theright person for the job whether they are a lawyer or not. "

A great collegiate business but with very strong leadership,"added one judge.

The panel felt the Big Partnership deserveda special commendation for its success in building what was clearly a"real fun place to work" in a short period of time. Low turnover ratesalso demonstrated the success of its career development strategy.

Best E250 Newcomer

Winner: Intense Ltd

"A STANDOUT winner, "was how one judged summed up the achievements of the Lanarkshire technology company.

The University of Glasgow spin-out company -seen as the sole survivor of the optoelectronics sector in Scotland -saw turnover more than triple during the year.

The Blantyre-based company has diversifiedinto new markets to survive and grow and has enhanced its productoffering with the acquisition of a US-based laser company.

Although as a leading edge technologycompany Intense is still lossmaking, the panel felt that its fundingposition was strong with a board highly focused on building asustainable long term business.